Q. I am looking for a light, folding, 2 child trailer with quick release wheels. I've looked on line, but have zero experience with them. Can one upgrade the tires to narrow high pressure tires? Do they affect the handling of the bike? If you have used one, do the kids really like riding along? All that kind of stuff.
Answer
I've been using a Kool Stop Lil Trooper bike trailer for almost 4 years now. I agree with the other two answers about having the trailer but I would also have to say that narrow high pressure tires probably aren't a good alternative to what the trailers offer already.
While mine is a decent $200 trailer, the first answer has a Burley D'Lite- which is literally the "Cadillac of Trailers." They have every thoughtful touch including padded seating, recesses for the helmet and tinted windows. Mine doesn't even have quick release. The way I see it is if the D'Lite doesn't offer the feature, it probably offers no advantage. In fact, it may even be unsafe to have narrow tires. The D' Lite is the leader in trailer technology and it is also one of the most expensive because of that.
About the kids being bored: My son no longer rides in the trailer but his 15 month old baby brother does. After the intial ride, neither of my kids gave me any qualms about riding in there. Give them some treats, a drink, and something to keep them busy (toys,coloring books, etc.) and they are good to go. They usually look out the windows or go to sleep- which is what they do best in the trailer.
As long as they see Daddy in front, they don't worry. I'll ride a 40 mile ride with one of them in the back and I just let them get out and play for about half an hour at my halfway rest stop before heading back. No worries. Your experiences may be different but when they normally see me riding my bike without them, they are just glad to come along at times. Heck, it gives my wife a break too unless she comes along.
Also, it's recommended that you not exceed 20 mph with the trailer. I found out why when the trailer began to feel unstable when I hit 25 mph a few times. No worries. With the extra weight, you'll want to save your legs on any ride over 15 miles anyway.
Trailers will affect the handling of your bike and make sure that you have either a full steel or aluminum frame bike with at least 32 spoked wheels to pull them with. I had to buy an all aluminum bike while biuying my trailer because the LBS said that a carbon frame or carbon rear frame will crack from the stresses of a trailer. My original bike was a carbon Trek. Titanium is also a no-no.
There are many choices out there when buying a bike trailer. Burley is at the top of the list. Even their barebones Burley Bee trailer is good.
Cannondale trailers are really impressive and they are up there with Burley in terms of technology. Many riders like their unique, more aerodynamic profiles.
Kool Stop is good and they are a family owned company that strongly backs their products. Just make sure to go for a higher end trailer than the Lil Trooper.
A really good trailer that has had a strong cult following but are now being recognized by the masses are Chariot trailers. They are a Canadian company that makes exceptional trailers. Chariot used to make most of Burley's trailers until many buyer's found out that Chariots were the same trailers they were looking at purchasing from Burley and can be had for less. Now Burley makes their own.
Basic requirements that will make your trips easier are quick release skewers ( as you mentioned) AND aluminum rims.You may even want to make sure that your trailer had a rear window in the trunk area so that air can flow threw it on hot days. If you decide you want the D'Lite but it seems cost-prohibitive, consider a used one. Most used trailers have very low miles and are in great condition because they are used so little. That's good for you because you can buy used for a lot less than a new one. Sorry this is so long winded but I'm trying to get as much info to you, so that you will be better prepared when you go shopping for one. Good luck with your purchase.
I've been using a Kool Stop Lil Trooper bike trailer for almost 4 years now. I agree with the other two answers about having the trailer but I would also have to say that narrow high pressure tires probably aren't a good alternative to what the trailers offer already.
While mine is a decent $200 trailer, the first answer has a Burley D'Lite- which is literally the "Cadillac of Trailers." They have every thoughtful touch including padded seating, recesses for the helmet and tinted windows. Mine doesn't even have quick release. The way I see it is if the D'Lite doesn't offer the feature, it probably offers no advantage. In fact, it may even be unsafe to have narrow tires. The D' Lite is the leader in trailer technology and it is also one of the most expensive because of that.
About the kids being bored: My son no longer rides in the trailer but his 15 month old baby brother does. After the intial ride, neither of my kids gave me any qualms about riding in there. Give them some treats, a drink, and something to keep them busy (toys,coloring books, etc.) and they are good to go. They usually look out the windows or go to sleep- which is what they do best in the trailer.
As long as they see Daddy in front, they don't worry. I'll ride a 40 mile ride with one of them in the back and I just let them get out and play for about half an hour at my halfway rest stop before heading back. No worries. Your experiences may be different but when they normally see me riding my bike without them, they are just glad to come along at times. Heck, it gives my wife a break too unless she comes along.
Also, it's recommended that you not exceed 20 mph with the trailer. I found out why when the trailer began to feel unstable when I hit 25 mph a few times. No worries. With the extra weight, you'll want to save your legs on any ride over 15 miles anyway.
Trailers will affect the handling of your bike and make sure that you have either a full steel or aluminum frame bike with at least 32 spoked wheels to pull them with. I had to buy an all aluminum bike while biuying my trailer because the LBS said that a carbon frame or carbon rear frame will crack from the stresses of a trailer. My original bike was a carbon Trek. Titanium is also a no-no.
There are many choices out there when buying a bike trailer. Burley is at the top of the list. Even their barebones Burley Bee trailer is good.
Cannondale trailers are really impressive and they are up there with Burley in terms of technology. Many riders like their unique, more aerodynamic profiles.
Kool Stop is good and they are a family owned company that strongly backs their products. Just make sure to go for a higher end trailer than the Lil Trooper.
A really good trailer that has had a strong cult following but are now being recognized by the masses are Chariot trailers. They are a Canadian company that makes exceptional trailers. Chariot used to make most of Burley's trailers until many buyer's found out that Chariots were the same trailers they were looking at purchasing from Burley and can be had for less. Now Burley makes their own.
Basic requirements that will make your trips easier are quick release skewers ( as you mentioned) AND aluminum rims.You may even want to make sure that your trailer had a rear window in the trunk area so that air can flow threw it on hot days. If you decide you want the D'Lite but it seems cost-prohibitive, consider a used one. Most used trailers have very low miles and are in great condition because they are used so little. That's good for you because you can buy used for a lot less than a new one. Sorry this is so long winded but I'm trying to get as much info to you, so that you will be better prepared when you go shopping for one. Good luck with your purchase.
is this a good beginner bike?
http://www.vitalbmx.com/product/guide/Bikes,6/Diamondback/Joker,1844
I need a bmx
Answer
Yes, this is a fine beginner bike. The three piece crank, FSA headset and rear brake set (tektro) set this one above most beginner BMXs. For under $200 you aren't going to find much better. Performance has them on sale for $199 this week.
However, I would seriously consider spending $40 more and getting the 2010 Diamondback Nitrus instead. Same bike with an aluminum frame.
FYI: The first poster is dead wrong. Aside from the GMC being a cheap piece of cr@p to begin with, a multi-speed, dropped handlebar road bike like that is inappropriate for most beginners.
You made a good choice. There are lots of department store bikes that are cheaper and since these are outgrown quickly many parents (guilty as charged) buy as cheap as possible. The results are frustration as the kid has to deal with a poorly functioning, always half-broken bike and Dad is always fixing it and dealing with it's poor design and cheap components. You can find half decent department store bikes but you have to look hard and even still they are really only for true first timers. This bike should last a while.
Yes, this is a fine beginner bike. The three piece crank, FSA headset and rear brake set (tektro) set this one above most beginner BMXs. For under $200 you aren't going to find much better. Performance has them on sale for $199 this week.
However, I would seriously consider spending $40 more and getting the 2010 Diamondback Nitrus instead. Same bike with an aluminum frame.
FYI: The first poster is dead wrong. Aside from the GMC being a cheap piece of cr@p to begin with, a multi-speed, dropped handlebar road bike like that is inappropriate for most beginners.
You made a good choice. There are lots of department store bikes that are cheaper and since these are outgrown quickly many parents (guilty as charged) buy as cheap as possible. The results are frustration as the kid has to deal with a poorly functioning, always half-broken bike and Dad is always fixing it and dealing with it's poor design and cheap components. You can find half decent department store bikes but you have to look hard and even still they are really only for true first timers. This bike should last a while.
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